“We're about twenty miles away from the Cobb's small farm, my lady. We should be arriving in about five minutes,” Joon-mei said.

“Good. Is the hover car ready?” she asked.

“Yes. My lady, if I may...”

“Yes, mei-mei what is it?”

“Did you not mention that the father was a welder for the iron works factory?”

“He is. But they own a small farm on the outskirts of the town. They have a few horses I think. From what I gather, they grow mostly grain that they sell when money is short and some vegetables and I believe they have a few apple trees, too,” she smiled

“It seems that your son grew up in a nurturing environment,” her servant said quietly.

“Yes he did. Even if he was raised a Christian rather than a Buddhist,” she sighed a bit disappointed.

“I would think his becoming a mercenary would be your most concern,” Joon-mei gave her a sly smile. She landed the shuttle gently.

“Hm.” Was all her ladyship said.

“I've landed about a mile away. We should approach on the hover car where we are visible. It is uncertain if they might try to shoot at us or not,” she began the shut down sequence.

“Joon-mei, these are simple people. I doubt that they'd shoot at us. It is after all Sunday afternoon on this moon. No doubt they've just come from one of their Sunday services,” she smiled indulgently.

“Perhaps. Still, I would prefer if you wear some body armor, my lady. I've brought along an extra just in case,” she pulled out a lightweight chain mail vest from a box next to her.

Lady Vera took it and examined it. “Not very stylish is it?”

“You wear it under your clothes, my lady,” Joon-mei opened her own black tunic and showed her how to wear it.

“Ah...” she removed her own peacock blue tunic and placed the vest over her undershirt.

“It feels quite light. In fact, if I wore it just so without my tunic, it would go quite nicely with my skirt,” she looked down at her black full skirt and the silvery vest.

“They would know you were wearing armor. This kind of equipment is common amongst these parts,” the younger girl raised an eyebrow and held out Lady Vera's peacock blue tunic to her.

“One day you'll have to tell me how it is that you know so much about life on the border planets,” she eyed her servant as she wrapped her tunic.

“No, I don't,” Joon-mei gave her a mysterious smile. “We must hurry. It's not wise to arrive after dark.”

The drive to the Cobb farm was nothing of to talk about. The land was mostly dry grassland scattered with a few wilting trees that seemed to be feeling the brunt of a long drought. Summer was at it's peak on the little moon orbiting Jiangyin.

“Seems like their farm might be suffering,” Lady Vera commented.

Joon-mei gave the land a quick survey and nodded quietly in agreement. After another minute or two, they approached a small two story house that looked to have seen better days. Lady Vera imagined the faded white paint must have glistened in the sun once upon a time. The maroon shutters were in badly need of touch up and the wrap around porch was sagging in the front.

Someone exited the house as Joon-mei placed the hover car on stand-by. It was a young man of medium stature. Lady Vera guessed he would be perhaps no taller than five-ten or five-eleven.

He was dressed in plain but clean clothes. A white crisp dress shirt that went conservatively well with his black trousers. His soft brown wavy hair, swirled a bit in the hot summer breeze.

“He's harmless as he seems, my lady. No doubt a school teacher or perhaps even a curate for the local Sheperd,” Joon-mei murmured as they approached him.

“Can I help you ladies?” he asked them in a polite but wary voice.

At first, Lady Vera did not respond. The face looking back at him was so much like the indentured servant girl that had taken Jian under her wing so many years before. It was his sad gray eyes that reminded him so much of her. Joon-mei gave a little cough to bring her back to the present.

“Yes, forgive me. You look so much like your mother...” Lady Vera murmured.

“And you are?” he asked still somewhat wary. Joon-mei had not been incorrect, these rim people were very cautious.

“My name is Lady Veronica Colbert-Jiangyin. This is my personal attendant, Joon-mei. We are here to see Mrs. Vera Cobb. Is it possible to see her?” She explained.

The only motion he made that said she'd had an impression on him was the slight arch in his brow.

“My mother is ill at the moment and I'm sorry to say she cannot have any visitors. She's very weak,” he said solemnly.

“I... is there anything I can do? Perhaps have Joon-mei fetch a doctor from the township?” Lady Vera had gone very pale. She was so close to finding Jian. She couldn't let her namesake slip away before she found her son.

“It is of no use, my lady,” the young man shook his head. “The doctor has already seen to her. There is nothing he can do. She's dying.”

“I'm sorry—”

“Matthew or rather Curate Matthew if you prefer the formal ways,” he gave her a slight smile.

“Curate Matthew, I'm sorry to hear that your mother is so ill. But it is a matter of urgency that I see her. You see, I knew your mother long before you were born. She has information that I need. Isn't there anyway I could speak with her? Please?” Lady Vera took a few steps closer and begged the young man with her eyes.

He surveyed her then looked behind her to Joon-Mei. She stood rigid with no expression on her face. He looked back to Lady Vera.

“I cannot allow you to speak with her at the moment she is resting. But she might wake up in an hour or two. Perhaps you might be able to get some answers from my father he—”

“Adam is here? Adam Cobb?” Lady Vera asked urgently.

“Y-Yes,” the young curate looked flustered for a moment.

“If I may speak with him at least. He will know—”

“Mattie? Who is it? Are they sellin' somethin'?” A raspy voice asked.

“It's all right, pa. You have some visitors,” the curate said not removing his eyes from Lady Vera. There was a strange look in them. As if he wanted to keep staring or dissect Lady Vera's own eyes.

The man whose voice it belonged to stepped out. He gave Lady Vera one look and inhaled sharply.

“My Lady, it's been too long,” he immediately bowed lowly as he had done many times as an indentured servant.

“Oh please don't do that! You are no longer bound by me,” Lady Vera stepped to him and helped him up from his knees.

“Forgive me. It's just... the last time I saw ya,” he said and smiled wearily.

“I know. Your son tells me your wife is very ill,” she mentioned.

“Yes... she's dying.”

“Perhaps it's best if we continue this conversation inside?” the young man suggested.

“Your right, where are my manners?” Adam Cobb held the door open for both Lady Vera and Joon-mei.

They were ushered to a neat but shabby looking sitting room. Matthew offered them tea, which Lady Vera gladly accepted.

“No please, sit down. I can get it,” he motioned for Joon-mei to return to her seat.

“I am her attendant,” was all she said.

He gave her a strange look and then it seemed that it dawned on him. “Dahng ran. I had forgotten such grand ladies always had personal bodyguards. If you'll follow me, Miss Joon-mei is it?”

“Just Joon-mei will suffice, Curate Matthew,” she nodded briskly.

When they'd left, Lady Vera turned to Adam Cobb. “I need to speak to her. Please Mr. Cobb, it is of the utmost importance.”

“Always knew you'd come around one day or another. Vera, she always thought you'd come sooner. Thought it was stupid for taking both a your first names,” he muttered.

“Did you never see the reports about the search for him? We looked for years, Mr. Cobb,” she whispered.

“We didn't have hardly any people around these parts when we settled here. Much less access to a Cortex. Did mostly farmin' at first, before they set up the iron mill that is. Heck this here little moon wasn't even claimed by the Alliance till after the war. By the time we saw one a them bulletins, Jayne was a growed man. Vera and I thought it was too late for anythin' by then,” he shook his head.

“Mr. Cobb I must know... where is my son? Where is Jayne?” she pleaded.

“He works on a cargo ship called Serenity,” it was the curate that answered. He stood pale and transfixed just inside the doorway.

“Pa, is it true what this lady is saying? Is Jayne...”

“I didn't want you to find out like this Mattie. Jayne don't even know, and with your ma laid out and ready to meet the Lord—”

“You are blocking my entrance, curate,” Joon-mei interrupted.

Matthew jumped slightly. He'd forgotten the small woman that had followed him into the sitting room. He walked forward and placed the tea tray on the table. He handed Lady Vera a tea cup first then to his father.

“Now, I believe there is some sort of explanation that you were about to tell me,” he looked from his father to Lady Vera. Joon-mei stood behind her as if ready to take him down.

“This is a personal matter between your parents and me. I would prefer if it would stay that way for now. At least until Jayne is informed of the situation,” Lady Vera responded diplomatically.

The curate stared at her. He seemed to be processing the small bit of information he'd gathered in the short period of time since the two women had arrived.

“I suppose you have a point, my lady. I still cannot allow you to speak with my mother. Not yet anyway. When she wakes up, I'll inform her of your presence and we'll see how it goes from there,” he answered equally diplomatically.

Lady Vera had to admit she was impressed at the young man's bravado. He was polite and respectful, but still let her know that she was in his home and that even though his parents were the owners of the home, he was the one who was obviously in charge. She smiled warmly.

“Of course, Curate Matthew. Joon-mei and I are staying in our shuttle at the moment. It's only a mile out. You can contact me through the Cortex—”

“Forgive me, my lady, but we don't have access to a Cortex. At least not on the farm,” Matthew answered.

“This should suffice,” Joon-mei handed him a communicator. “I have the other one on the shuttle. The moment your mother has been informed of the situation and is ready to speak her ladyship, contact me.”

He looked at the small device, took it tentatively, and nodded. “I will.”

“We shall take our leave then. It was good to see you again,” Lady Vera smiled to Mr. Cobb. “And it was a pleasure meeting you, Curate Matthew.”

He gave her a genuine smile and nodded.

“The son might be a problem,” Joon-mei commented as they drove away.

“Now that's tsway-niou. The young man is merely protective of his parents. No doubt they are all he has in this world. Well they and Jayne,” Lady Vera frowned.

“Still... I don't like him,” she said firmly as they approached the shuttle.

Lady Vera smirked. “You hardly like any person of the male variety, Joon-mei. But one day there will me a man that shakes you to your very core and perhaps then you will see that men can be more than tormentors. They can be pleasure candy as well."

"My lady!" Joon-mei actually blushed and fumbled a little with the mechanism that opened the hatch to the shuttle.

Lady Vera laughed out. Sex or speaking of it, so freely was the only thing that seemed to fluster Joon-mei.